KR100879646B1 - Apparatus for grounding railway contact rails - Google Patents

Abstract

Hand-held tools for gripping a railway contact rail to facilitate grounding thereof are provided. A first member includes a first jaw at an end thereof, a handle at an opposite end thereof, and a first intermediate portion extending between the first jaw and the handle. A second member is pivotally attached to the first member and includes a second jaw at an end thereof, a set of ratchet teeth at an opposite end thereof, and a second intermediate portion extending between the second jaw and the set of ratchet teeth. The first and second jaws are configured to pivot relative to each other so as to grip respective opposite side portions of a railway contact rail when the handle is moved downwardly such that the second intermediate portion is in electrical contact with a top portion of a railway contact rail. A pawl extends from the first intermediate portion and is configured to engage the set of ratchet teeth to hold the first and second jaws in contact with the respective opposite sides of a railway contact rail. A biasing member is operatively associated with the pawl and is configured to urge the pawl into engagement with the set of ratchet teeth. A release lever is operatively associated with the biasing member and/or the pawl and is configured to disengage the pawl from the set of ratchet teeth and allow movement of the handle so as to disengage the hand-held tool from a contact rail.

Description

Device for grounding railway contact rails {APPARATUS FOR GROUNDING RAILWAY CONTACT RAILS}

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to clamping devices, and more particularly to clamp devices for railway rails.

Conventional railway tracks include a pair of elongated rails on which train wheels rest. The extending rails extend longitudinally apart from one another laterally and lie substantially parallel to each other. In an electric-powered train car such as a subway, a third rail is located near one of the running rails and charges a current to serve as a power source for the electric motor of the electric train. do. Electric trains generally have one or more steel collector shoes, which are in contact with the top of the contact rails to move current from the contact rails to the electric motors of the train.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional arrangement of a railway rail 10 extending and a contact rail 12 for neighboring power supply. The contact rails 12 lie at intervals above the ground protruding insulators 13 along the railway. The wheels 14 of the train are constrained and rolled along the extending rail 10, and the current collector 16 contacts the upper portion 12a of the contact rail 12, and receives power from the contact rail 12.

Since electrically filled contact rails are dangerous, a protective cover 18 is conventionally used, as shown in FIG. 1, in particular in areas where passengers may be present, such as a riding platform. As shown, a conventional protective cover 18 is installed on the upper portion 12a of the contact rail 12. Conventionally, a gap of about 3 inches is provided between the upper portion 12a of the contact rail 12 and the lower portion 18a of the protective cover 18. However, these gaps can vary. Conventionally, the contact rail protective cover is permanently attached and cannot be removed, even for repair of the contact rail.

During railway repair work (e.g., replacement of worn or damaged rails, redistribution of electrical circuits, construction work, etc.), conventionally, once power is cut off, the contact rails are discharged or grounded. Conventionally, the grounding of the contact rails is achieved by connecting electrical cables between the rails and the contact rails extending farthest from the contact rails.

Unfortunately, it may be difficult to apply conventional clamps (eg, "C-clamps") to the contact rails due to the limited space between the contact rails and the protective cover thereon. Accordingly, railway repair workers generally use a "homemade" clamping device that is configured to be fixed to the contact rail, as shown in FIG. The illustrated clamp device 20 includes an electrically conductive “hook-up” pad 22 with a chain 24 and a T-shaped handle 26. The hook-up pad 22 is located at the top 12a of the contact rail 12 and fixed in place by a U-shaped holder 23 and a chain 24. The chain 24 is gripped around the pad holder 23 and the contact rail 12 by the T-shaped handle 26. The electrical cable 28 extends from the clamp device 20 to the clamp device 30 attached to the rail 10. The contact rail 12 is grounded to the extending rail 10 via the electrical cable 28.

Unfortunately, installing a conventional clamp device on the contact rail can be time consuming and inconvenient. Moreover, conventional clamp devices can be dangerous because the installer must be very close to the filled contact rails. This can be dangerous even if people are wearing the necessary protective clothing. Accordingly, there is a need for a clamp device that is quick and easy to install on a filled contact rail protected by a top cover and that reduces the operator's exposure to the filled contact rail.

In view of the above discussion, a hand-held tool is provided for gripping railway contact rails to facilitate grounding of the contact rails. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the handle tool includes a first member and a second member that are pivotably attached. The first member includes a first jaw at one end, a handle at the opposite end, and a first intermediate portion extending between the first jaw and the handle. The second member has a second jaw at one end, a set of ratchet teeth at the opposite member, and a second second extending between the second jaw and the ratchet set of teeth. intermediate portion). The first jaw and the second jaw are pivotally formed relative to each other and are formed to grip each of the opposite sides of the rail contact rail when the handle is pivoted downward.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, pawls engage with a ratchet set of teeth to secure a first jaw and a second jaw that extend from the first intermediate member and contact each side opposite the rail contact rail. do. A spring that is connected to work with the detent is formed such that the detent presses engagement with the ratchet set of teeth. The release lever, which is connected to the biasing member and / or the detent, is configured to separate the detent from the ratchet set of teeth, and the movement of the handle causes the first jaw and the second jaw to contact the contact rail. To be separated from the

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, one or more roller members may be positioned on the first jaw and the second jaw to facilitate installation of the handle tool on the contact rail.

The handle tool according to an embodiment of the present invention can operate in a very narrow place, allowing the operator to quickly and easily grip a filled contact rail protected by an upper protective cover while maintaining a safe distance from the contact rail. .

The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification, illustrate a main embodiment of the present invention. The drawings and the description together fully explain the invention.

1 shows a conventional three-rail railway system with a pair of extending rails and a neighboring electrically charged contact rail,

2 shows a conventional grounding device for grounding a contact rail to an extending rail,                 

3 shows a handle tool for gripping the contact rail and for facilitating grounding the contact rail, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

4 shows a handle tool for gripping the contact rail and for facilitating grounding the contact rail, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows the handle tool of FIG. 4 in an installed state, showing the direction in which the worker moves the handle to secure the first and second jaws on each side of the contact rail,

FIG. 6 shows the handle tool of FIG. 4 in an un-installed state, showing the direction in which the operator moves the release lever and handle to separate the first and second jaws from each side of the contact rail; ,

7 illustrates a grounding device for grounding contact rails filled in an extending rail, according to an embodiment of the invention.

In the following, the invention is described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are introduced. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; Rather, these embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art and to make this disclosure complete and complete.

In the drawings, the thicknesses of lines, layers, and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. When a member, such as a layer, region, substrate, or panel, is referred to as being "on top" of another member, it will be understood that it may be directly on the other member and that there may be an intervening member, in contrast, When a member is referred to as being "directly on" another member, it will be understood that there is no member in between. When a member is referred to as being "connected" or "attached" to another member, it will be understood that the member may be directly connected or attached to another member and an intervening member may be present. In contrast, when a member is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly attached" to another member, there is no intervening member. Here, "upwardly", "downwardly", "vertically", "horizontally" and the like are used for illustrative purposes only.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a handle tool 40 for gripping a rail contact rail to facilitate grounding of the contact rail is shown in FIG. 3. The grasping grip tool 40 includes a first member and a second member 42, 52 pivotably attached to each other by a pin 41. The illustrated first member 42 extends between the first jaw 43 at one end 42a, the handle 44 at the opposite end 42b, and between the first jaw 43 and the handle 44. A first intermediate portion 45 is included.

The illustrated second member 52 has a second jaw portion 53 at one end 52a, a ratchet set tooth 54 at the opposite end, and between the second jaw portion 53 and the ratchet set tooth 54. It includes a second intermediate portion 55 extending to. The first jaws and the second jaws 43, 53 of the first and second members 42, 52 are formed to pivot relative to each other and the operator 44 downwards (indicated by arrow A ₁ ) As it moves, it is formed to grip each side 12b, 12c opposite the rail contact rail 12.

The second intermediate portion 55 of the second member 52 is the upper portion of the contact rail when the first jaw portion and the second jaw portions 43, 53 grip the respective side surfaces 12b, 12c opposite the contact rails. It may have a flexible configuration with respect to the first member 42 to facilitate the occurrence of excellent electrical contact between the contact surface 55a of the second intermediate portion 55 and 12a. The flexible shape of the second intermediate portion 55 may also facilitate the installation of the handle tool 40 on the contact rails in varying heights (eg, by wear or the like).

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a replaceable electrically conductive pad (such as, for example, electrically conductive pad 22 shown in FIG. 2), such as a copper pad, is in electrical contact with the top 12a of the contact rail 12. It may be attached to the contact surface 55a of the second intermediate portion 55 to reinforce. The replaceable conductive pad can also reduce the wear of the second intermediate contact surface 55a.

In the embodiment shown, the detent 60 is formed to extend from the first intermediate portion 45 of the first member 42 and to engage the ratchet set of teeth 54 of the second member 52. The detent 60 has a first jaw contacting each side 12b, 12c opposite the rail contact rail 12 when the handle 44 is pivoted downwards (indicated by arrow A ₁ ); It is formed to fix the second jaw portions (43, 53). The biasing member 62 (eg, a leaf spring as shown) is connected to act on the detent 60 and is formed to press the detent 60 to engage the ratchet tooth set 54. . A release lever 64 is attached to the first member and connected to act on the biasing member 62 to disconnect the detent 60 from the ratchet set of teeth 54, which is the first jaw portion. And to allow the handle 44 to move upwards (indicated by arrow A ₂ ) to move the second jaws 43, 53 away from each other, which causes the contact rails to be released from the engagement.

The use of detents 60 and ratcheted teeth 54 allows the handle tool 40 to be used on contact rails of various heights. As known to those skilled in the art, the contact rails vary in height as a result of wear. Moreover, the use of the detent 60 and the ratcheted tooth 54 provide an increased safety limit because once engaged, the likelihood of accidental disengagement is reduced.

4-7, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a handle tool 140 is shown for gripping the rail contact rails to facilitate grounding of the contact rails. The illustrated handle tool 140 includes a first member and a second member 142, 152 that are pivotally attached to each other by a pin 141. The illustrated first member 142 extends between the first jaw 143 at one end 142a, the handle 144 at the opposite end 142b, and between the first jaw 143 and the handle 144. A first intermediate portion 145 is included. The illustrated handle 144 is coupled to a plate 149 attached to the first member 142 (eg, attached by a hex-head machine thread screw, as shown). . However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this handle attachment shape. Various methods of attaching the handle 144 to the first member 142 (as well as the method of attaching other components of the handle tool 140) can be used.

The illustrated second member 152 has a second jaw portion 153 at one end 152a, a ratchet set of teeth 154 at the opposite end, and a second jaw portion 153 and a ratchet set of teeth 154. And a second intermediate portion 155 extending therein. The first jaws and the second jaws 143, 153 of the first and second members 142, 152 each have a side 12b opposite the rail contact rail when the worker moves the handle 144 downward. And to pivot about each other to grip 12c). A ferrule clamp 147 is located underneath the illustrated first member 142, which is formed to hold the ground cable 28 fixedly.

As shown, the pair of rollers 148 are located at the first jaw 143 and the pair of rollers 158 are located at the second jaw 153. The rollers 148, 158 facilitate the installation of the handle tool 140 on the contact rail 12. For example, the roller 158 of the second jaw 153 allows the second jaw 153 to roll around the top 12a of the contact rail 12. The roller 148 of the first jaw facilitates gripping the contact rail 12 when the handle 144 moves downward. In the installed state, the rollers 148 and 158 are formed to contact the respective side surfaces 12b and 12c of the railway contact rail 12.

The second intermediate portion 155 of the second member 152 may have a flexible shape with respect to the first member 142, in which the first jaw and the second jaws 143, 153 are railroad contact rails 12. When gripping each side 12b, 12c opposite), it is easy to generate good electrical contact between the upper surface 12a of the railway contact rail 12 and the contact surface 155a of the second intermediate portion 155. To do this. The flexible shape of the second intermediate portion 155 may also facilitate the installation of the handle tool 140 on contact rails having various heights. The contact surface 155a is preferably formed of a material such as aluminum to prevent damage to the contact rail top 12a when the handle tool 140 is gripped by the contact rail 12.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a replaceable electrically conductive pad (such as, for example, electrically conductive pad 22 shown in FIG. 2), such as a copper pad, is in electrical contact with the top 12a of the contact rail 12. It may be attached to the contact surface 155a of the second intermediate portion 155 to reinforce. The replaceable conductive pad can also reduce wear of the second intermediate contact surface 155a.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shoulder bolt and detent assembly 160 extends from the first intermediate portion 145 of the first member 142 and ratchet set 154 to the second member 152. It is formed to combine with). The detent portion (not shown) of the shoulder bolt and detent assembly 160 includes a plurality of teeth formed to engage the ratchet set of teeth 154 in the second member 152, as will be understood by one skilled in the art. do. The shoulder bolt and detent assembly 160 is configured to secure the first jaw and the second jaw 143, 153, which are formed when the handle 144 is pivoted downward (in FIG. 5). Contact each side 12b, 12c opposite the rail contacting rail 12, indicated by arrow A ₁ . Coil spring 162 acts as a biasing member and is coupled to act with shoulder bolt and detent assembly 160 such that shoulder bolt and detent assembly 160 urges engagement with ratchet tooth set 154. In the illustrated embodiment, the coil spring 162 coaxially surrounds the shoulder bolt and detent assembly 160.

Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to shoulder bolt and detent assembly 160. In accordance with the spirit and scope of the present invention, various device and detent-shaped shapes secure the first jaw and second jaw portions 143, 153, which contact each side 12b, 12c opposite the rail contact rail 12. Can be used to

Since the release lever 164 is attached to the first member and connected to operate with the shoulder bolt and detent assembly 160 and is configured to separate the shoulder bolt and detent assembly 160 from the ratchet set of teeth 154, The handle 144 can move upwards (indicated by arrow A ₂ in FIG. 6) so that the first jaw and the second jaw 143, 153 are separated from each other, thereby causing the contact rail 12 to be released. . In the illustrated embodiment, the end 164a of the release lever 164 engages the end 160a of the shoulder bolt and detent assembly 160 extending outward from the coil spring 162. As the release lever 164 is moved downwards towards the handle 144, the end 164a of the release lever ratchets the shoulder bolt and detent assembly 160 to free the movement of the handle 144. Pulled out of the set.

The provision of the shoulder bolt and detent assembly 160 and the ratcheted teeth 154 allows the handle tool 140 to be used for contact rails of various heights. Moreover, the use of shoulder bolts and detent assemblies 160 and ratcheted teeth 154 can provide an increased safety limit because, once engaged, the likelihood of accidental disengagement is reduced.

In operation, the illustrated handle tool 140 is carried open to the contact rail 12 and is moved under the rail upper protective cover 18 and lowered down to the top 12a of the contact rail 12. Goes. Thereafter, the handle 144 moves downwards (indicated by arrow A ₁ ) and is in a “closed” state (FIG. 5), so that the first jaw and the second jaws 143, 153 are in contact with the contact rail ( To each side 12b, 12c of 12) stably. The shoulder bolt and detent assembly 160 secures the first jaw and the second jaw 143, 153 in a state of being installed by the ratchet tooth set 154.

In order to separate the handle tool 140 from the contact rail 12 (FIG. 6), the release lever 164 is pressed toward the first member 142 (indicated by arrow A ₃ ). The release lever 164 pulls the shoulder bolt and detent assembly 160 against the coil spring 162, as a result of which the shoulder bolt and detent assembly 160 is separated from the ratchet set of teeth 154, Thereby, the first jaw portion 143 can be freely induced by the upward movement of the handle 144 (indicated by the arrow A ₂ ). In the illustrated embodiment, the release lever 164 is smaller in size compared to the handle 144 and is located near the ratchet set of teeth 154, which reduces the chance of an operator accidentally pressing the release lever 164. To do so.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a grounding apparatus 200 for grounding a contact rail 12 filled in an extending rail 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The grounding device 200 is configured to releasably hold the electrically conductive clamp 30, the electrically conductive handle tool 40 (FIG. 3), and the contact rail 12, which are formed to releasably hold the extending railroad rail. A handle tool 140, and an electrically conductive cable 28, which is in electrical connection with the clamp 30 and the handle tools 40, 140. It is grounded to the railroad rail 10 which extends. A typical clamp device 30 that can be used to grasp a railroad rail extending in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is the Herbel Corporation (584 Derby Milford Road), 584 Orange Derby Milford Road, CT, USA. Hubbel, Inc.).

The foregoing is illustrative of the invention and is not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. Although some exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that many modifications are possible to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the novel techniques and advantages of the invention. Accordingly, all such changes will be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of the invention and should not be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications to the disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, along with equivalents of the claims.

Claims (16)

A grip tool for gripping rail contact rails to facilitate grounding of the rail contact rails, A first member comprising a first jaw at one end, a handle at the opposite end, and a first intermediate portion extending between the first jaw and the handle; A second member pivotally attached to the first member, the second jaw portion at one end, the ratchet tooth set at the opposite end, and a second intermediate portion extending between the second jaw portion and the ratchet tooth set; Wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are formed to pivot relative to each other and the second intermediate portion grips each side opposite the rail contact rail when the handle is pivoted in the first direction. A second member, formed to be in electrical contact with the rail; And A detent extending from the first member, the first jaw and the second jaw being opposite to the rail contact rail when the handle is pivoted in the first direction and is formed to engage the ratchet set of teeth; Including a detent, formed to be fixed in contact with the side of, Knob tool for gripping railway contact rails. The method of claim 1, And further comprising an electrically conductive pad formed in electrical contact with the railway contact rail and attached to the second intermediate portion. Knob tool for gripping railway contact rails. The method of claim 1, Further comprising a biasing member configured to urge the detent to engage with the ratchet set of teeth, the deflection member being connected to operate with the detent, Knob tool for gripping railway contact rails. The method of claim 3, wherein A lever connected to operate with the biasing member, the lever configured to separate the detent from the ratchet set of teeth, the lever allowing movement of the handle in a second direction opposite to the first direction, Knob tool for gripping railway contact rails. The method of claim 1, The first jaw portion includes a roller formed to contact the railway contact rail, Knob tool for gripping railway contact rails. The method of claim 1, The second jaw portion includes a roller formed to contact the railway contact rail, Knob tool for gripping railway contact rails. A grip tool for gripping rail contact rails to facilitate grounding of the rail contact rails, A first member comprising a first jaw at one end, a handle at the opposite end, and a first intermediate portion extending between the first jaw and the handle; A second member pivotally attached to the first member, the second jaw portion at one end, the ratchet tooth set at the opposite end, and a second intermediate portion extending between the second jaw portion and the ratchet tooth set; And the first jaw portion and the second jaw portion are formed to pivot relative to each other and hold each side opposite of the rail contact rail when the handle is pivoted in a first direction such that the second intermediate portion bears the rail contact rail. A second member formed in electrical contact with an upper portion of the second member; A detent extending from the first member, the first jaw and the second jaw being opposite sides of the rail contact rail when the handle is pivoted in the first direction and formed to engage the ratchet set of teeth; A detent, which is formed to be fixed in contact with the; A biasing member, configured to urge the detent to engage with the ratchet set of teeth and connected to operate with the detent; And A lever connected to operate with the detent and configured to separate the detent from the ratchet set of teeth, the lever allowing movement of the handle in a second direction opposite the first direction, Knob tool for gripping railway contact rails. The method of claim 7, wherein And further comprising an electrically conductive pad formed in electrical contact with the railway contact rail and attached to the second intermediate portion. Knob tool for gripping railway contact rails. The method of claim 7, wherein The first jaw portion includes a roller formed to contact the railway contact rail, Knob tool for gripping railway contact rails. The method of claim 7, wherein The second jaw portion includes a roller formed to contact the railway contact rail, Knob tool for gripping railway contact rails. Device for grounding rail contact rails, An electrically conductive clamp, configured to releasably grip the elongated railway rail; An electrically conductive handle tool configured to releasably grip a railroad contact rail connected to the elongated railroad rail; And An electrically conductive cable electrically connected with the clamp and the handle tool to allow the railway contact rail to be grounded to the extending railway rail, The electrically conductive handle tool comprising a first jaw at one end, a handle at the opposite end, and a first intermediate portion extending between the first jaw and the handle; A second member pivotally attached to the first member, the second jaw portion at one end, the ratchet tooth set at the opposite end, and a second intermediate portion extending between the second jaw portion and the ratchet tooth set; And the first jaw portion and the second jaw portion are formed to pivot relative to each other and hold each side opposite of the rail contact rail when the handle is pivoted in a first direction such that the second intermediate portion bears the rail contact rail. A second member, formed to be in electrical contact with the second member; And A detent extending from the first member, the first jaw and the second jaw being opposite sides of the rail contact rail when the handle is pivoted in the first direction and formed to engage the ratchet set of teeth; Comprising a detent, which is formed to be fixed in contact with the Device for grounding rail contact rails. The method of claim 11, And further comprising an electrically conductive contact pad formed in electrical contact with the railway contact rail and attached to the second intermediate portion, Device for grounding rail contact rails. The method of claim 11, Further comprising a biasing member configured to urge the detent to engage with the ratchet set of teeth, the deflection member being connected to operate with the detent, Device for grounding rail contact rails. The method of claim 13, A lever connected to operate with the detent and configured to separate the detent from the ratchet set of teeth, the lever allowing movement of the handle in a second direction opposite the first direction, Device for grounding rail contact rails. The method of claim 11, The first jaw portion includes a roller formed to contact the railway contact rail, Device for grounding rail contact rails. The method of claim 11, The second jaw portion includes a roller formed to contact the railway contact rail, Device for grounding rail contact rails.

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